Jake White's new Bok ambition

A report in Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger on Wednesday stated that Jake White wants to take on a Director of Rugby role with South Africa.

A report in Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger on Wednesday stated that Jake White wants to take on a Director of Rugby role with South Africa.

White, who coached the Boks to the World Cup in 2007, said he would like to take the role, as it would allow him to do his work while staying out of the limelight.

With current coach Peter de Villiers having received a comprehensive vote of confidence from his board despite a public show of no-confidence from the Durban fans last Saturday, White would probably not get such a role anytime soon.

But with the administration under fire from all angles following the team's recent run of form, it is an option that surely could be considered, and he indicated his immediate availability.

“I want to be director of rugby in South Africa,” White said.

“I don't want to be in the limelight and I'm not looking for the pressures that go with it. I've had my turn.

“All I'd like to do is help. That's what I have always wanted to do.”

White echoed the sentiments of pretty much the entire rugby fraternity in analysing what was currently going wrong with the team.

“There are too many forwards standing around in the backline,” he said.

“They try to do half of what we did, and half of their own thing. Half of everything leaves you with nothing,” White said.

“Schalk Burger was, until recently, the best player in the world. Now he is replaced during a match by Luke Watson. I don't understand that.”

However, SARU president Oregan Hoskins told Reuters on Wednesday that the post in question did not exist and there had been no discussions with White.

“We have had no discussions with Jake White on the subject and, in fact, the principle of a director of rugby post will only be reviewed by the president's council on Friday,” said Hoskins.